[Sigia-l] 508 Compliance - Alt Tags for Button Images

[Whitney Quesenbery]

Put a verb in the alt text - in other words, use the alt text to say what 
happens when you press the button, not a description of the image.

After all, the image is for visual recognition of the function, and this is 
a chance to put it in words. Remember that people not using screen readers 
will see the alt text (in most browsers) if they hover, or if they are not 
displaying graphics.

You might look on Section508.gov or in the accessibility section of 
usability.gov for writing guidelines. The folks at usability.gov are also 
involved in the work to create clear language in documents and have some 
good document design and writing guidelines.

W.

At 05:15 PM 9/30/2003 -0400, Kathy LeMunyon wrote:
>Anyone have any good naming conventions for the alt text on graphic buttons?
>I'm specifically concerned with screen readers being able to convey that the
>image is a button, and thus "function-y" vs an image which is just for
>visual interest.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Kathy LeMunyon
>Senior Information Architect
>Rare Medium Atlanta
>P 770-576-4290
>F 770-576-4100
>
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Whitney Quesenbery
Whitney Interactive Design, LLC
w. www.WQusability.com
e. whitneyq at wqusability.com
p. 908-638-5467

UPA  - www.usabilityprofessionals.org
STC Usability SIG: www.stcsig.org/usability